It seems to me that ice fishing on Monona Bay starts each winter before the ice is thick enough. But no one seems to fall through, so I guess I should stop worrying. But standing on the surface of frozen water is one of the miracles of science I love most. (Another being airplanes.) It’s something that shouldn’t be allowed, but it works! To see dozens of people out on the ice in winter is something special. Yeah, we live where water freezes. We’ve figured out how to catch fish anyway. Take that Mom Nature.
I’m reluctant to call ice fishing a sport. I don’t believe any sport that involves (or merely serves as a reason for) drinking beer can be classified as sport. (I’m looking at you, bowling.) Still, ice fishing a popular winter pastime, and the setting of Monona Bay is fitting. Humans have conquered this part of Madison. Monona Bay is actually cut of from Lake Monona by a railroad trestle and John Nolen Drive.
The gorgeous Brittingham Boathouse adorns the shore. The boathouse was built in 1910 and expanded in 1921. It had fallen into disrepair by the end of the 20th century, but by 2006 it had been restored. Work continues on the interior, but the outside is exquisite. It has gone from eyesore to major landmark thanks to the Madison Parks Department and the Camp Randall Rowing Club.
I picked an overcast day for this shot. I like days when the sky and the frozen ground blend together. Plus, the color saturate better. Lots of ice fisherpeople took a break to try and figure out what I was doing. Usually I don’t draw so much attention.
No famous people are immortalized in this shot. They all stayed indoors.
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